Blake Laperriere

Thanks! Those are some good ideas. I will do some research about motors.

I could certainly keep the inverter away from metal bits. About the pulley though, the top pulley can be moved one way or other so that it is directly in line with the belt. That doesn't need to be done every time it is turned on - just when the belt is put on. Thanks a lot!

Oh sorry, I forgot to say that it will also use 2" x 72" belts. Either one.

Hello, I really am in need of a belt grinder. First I wanted to make one, but now I figure that for the time and money (for a motor, metal, pulleys, etc) it might just be cheaper to buy one. I have been looking at one grinder that I think would be pretty good. It uses a 2"x72" belt, has a 2 hp variable speed motor, comes with 3 grinding attachments, and weighs about 200 lbs. It works out to be about $1350 with shipping to where I live, so it is a pretty good deal. Here is a link to the grinder I am interested in eBay link removed. What do you all think? I don't have much experience with belt grinders, so I can't foresee likely problems that might develop. What should I look for, and do any of you have this same type of belt grinder? Thanks so much for your help!

I guess you must know how to get the SLAG off! Thanks so much. I am making coposite roses. Thanks for the advice! I am using the old fashioned coal forge!

Hello everybody, I am making metal roses now. I don't know how to remove the fire scale from the inside of the rose. Down by the base of the petals. Is the grinder with a wire wheel the only way? I was thinking that there might be an easier way. Thanks a lot, Blake

I have a small bottom blast made of an old brake drum with a plate welded to the bottom. I cut some holes into that plate for the air to come in. The firepot is about 12 inches wide by 3 inches deep, so I can't really burn whole pieces of wood. I make it into charcoal first for this reason.

That is for sure. I have burnt a couple pieces that I didn't want to burn! You pre-burn the wood into charcoal before you use it in your forge, right. I mean you don't just put the wood right into the forge and then forge in the coals?

Sounds great. We do have small alder all along the sides of the roads here. It would be pretty easy to get. Thanks a lot for your advise!

That is awesome. All that good wood. I wish I had some good hardwoods here. Only alder and a little bit of ash and of course alder isn't very hard. Thanks Thomas

Thanks a lot, Thomas. That is what I kind of thought. Not enough trees for wood. I have noticed that charcoal burns so cleanly whereas, as I have observed from the little coal I have burnt, it puts off a lot of smoke and doesn't seem to be clean burning.

Thanks a lot. It is true that I will burn a lot of charcoal for a day of forging and that it is so light and fluffy. I don't have a problem with the charcoal blowing out of my firepot. I would guess that there just isn't the required amount of wood to make charcoal in most places.

Hello Everyone, I am wondering if there are any benefits that coal has over charcoal. I live in Alaska, and shipping is really expensive, so it isn't easy to get coal. Wood, however, is very plentiful and I use it to make my own lump charcoal. This charcoal will burn mild steel in my forge quite easily and works well for all my forging needs. It doesn't make smoke, doesn't smell bad, and is very easy to light. Is coal better for some reason? If not, why do most Blacksmiths use it? Thanks so much, Blake

Thanks a lot, Neil!

Hello Niel, I have put my location on my Avatar. Thanks a lot for your advice! Okay, Thanks Brad.